Bess Flowers
Biography
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Bess Flowers (November 23, 1898 – July 28, 1984) was an American actress. By some counts considered the most prolific actress in the history of Hollywood, she was known as "The Queen of the Hollywood Extras," appearing in over 700 movies in her 41 year career. Born in Sherman, Texas, Flowers's film debut came in 1923, when she appeared in Hollywood. She made three films that year, and then began working extensively. Many of her appearances are uncredited, as she generally played non-speaking roles. By the 1930s, Flowers was in constant demand. Her appearances ranged from Alfred Hitchcock and John Ford thrillers to comedic roles alongside of Charley Chase, the Three Stooges, Leon Errol, Edgar Kennedy, and Laurel and Hardy. She appeared in the following five films which won the Academy Award for Best Picture: It Happened One Night, You Can't Take it with You, All About Eve, The Greatest Show on Earth, and Around the World in Eighty Days. In each of these movies, Flowers was uncredited. Including these five movies, she had appeared in twenty-three Best Picture nominees in total, making her the record holder for most appearances in films nominated for the award. Her last movie was Good Neighbor Sam in 1964. Flowers's acting career was not confined to feature films. She was also seen in many episodic American TV series, such as I Love Lucy, notably in episodes, "Lucy Is Enceinte" (1952), "Ethel's Birthday" (1955), and "Lucy's Night in Town" (1957), where she is usually seen as a theatre patron. Outside her acting career, in 1945, Bess Flowers helped to found the Screen Extras Guild (active: 1946-1992, then merged with SAG), where she served as one of its first vice-presidents and recording secretaries.
Personal Details
Movies (45)
Laurel & Hardy: Year Two
2024
Good Neighbor Sam
as Mrs. Burke (uncredited)
1964
Bedtime Story
as Extra (uncredited)
1964
For Those Who Think Young
as Jane (uncredited)
1964
The Carpetbaggers
as Wedding Guest
1964
The Prize
as Lady In Audience (uncredited)
1963
Move Over, Darling
as Seymour's Wife (uncredited)
1963
Who's Minding the Store?
as Shopper, Gourmet Department (uncredited)
1963
Palm Springs Weekend
as Woman in Hotel Lobby (uncredited)
1963
For Love or Money
as Surprised Diner at The Flame Room (uncredited)
1963
The Thrill of It All
as Party Guest (uncredited)
1963
40 Pounds of Trouble
as Casino Patron
1962
The Manchurian Candidate
as Gomel's Lady Counterpart (uncredited)
1962
Zotz!
as Party Guest
1962
Two Weeks in Another Town
as Guest at Anniversary Banquet (uncredited)
1962
Incident in an Alley
as Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
1962
Five Finger Exercise
as Woman on Beach
1962
Don't Knock the Twist
as Fashion Editor
1962
The Notorious Landlady
as Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
1962
Sweet Bird of Youth
as Spectator at political rally
1962
Twist Around The Clock
as Charity Ball Guest
1961
Pocketful of Miracles
as Pedestrian Entering Club (uncredited)
1961
Judgment at Nuremberg
as Concert Attendee (uncredited)
1961
Babes in Toyland
as Villager (uncredited)
1961
Blue Hawaii
as Restaurant Patron (uncredited)
1961
The Honeymoon Machine
as Bar Patron (uncredited)
1961
Teenage Millionaire
as Aunt Theodora's Guest (uncredited)
1961
Return to Peyton Place
as Woman at Town Meeting
1961
Parrish
as Party Guest (uncredited)
1961
All in a Night's Work
as Customer (uncredited)
1961
Go Naked in the World
as Restaurant Patron (uncredited)
1961
The Absent-Minded Professor
as Wedding Guest (uncredited)
1961
Where the Boys Are
as Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
1960
G.I. Blues
as Cafe Europa patron (uncredited)
1960
The Facts of Life
as Lady At Airport (uncredited)
1960
All the Fine Young Cannibals
as Night Club Patron (uncredited)
1960
Song Without End
as (Uncredited)
1960
The Lost World
as Guest at Zoological Institute Forum (uncredited)
1960
Wake Me When It's Over
as Lady in Hotel Lobby
1960
Because They're Young
as Schoolteacher (uncredited)
1960
Please Don't Eat the Daisies
as Lady in Elevator (uncredited)
1960
Seven Thieves
as Lady at Casino Party
1960
Home from the Hill
as Party Guest (uncredited)
1960
Beloved Infidel
as Woman at Screening (uncredited)
1959
It Started with a Kiss
as Party Guest (uncredited)
1959
